What the Daishonin refers to as his “soul” in this passage is the life-state of the Buddha of time without beginning that resides in all people. That life is the essence of the individual person known as Nichiren Daishonin. It is a life of absolute freedom, bright and unfettered. It abounds with compassion toward all living beings and with sympathy for those who are suffering. It urges with inexhaustible wisdom and spiritual energy and overflows with infinite life force, good fortune and benefit. And it burns with the courage to battle the negative tendencies in oneself and others, afraid of nothing.

This guidance is an abstract from 'The World of Nichiren Daishonin Writings' with universal value and application

As the Daishonin says, “One should regard meeting obstacles as true peace and comfort” (GZ, 750). When the great wish to realize kosen-rufu soars within our heart, then even the worst persecutions are no more than dust before the wind. Indeed, we find that obstacles lead us to enlightenment. When we struggle to spread the Daishonin’s teachings in the face of persecution, we bring the world of Buddhahood to shine brilliantly in our lives. And it is through this process that we cultivate our highest potential as human beings. This is the direct path to attaining Buddhahood just as we are, the supreme path to attaining enlightenment in this lifetime. Nichiren Daishonin was the one who stood in the vanguard at the start of the Latter Day of the Law and demonstrated actual proof of this ultimate truth through his own life. That is why we revere him as the Buddha of the Latter Day.

This guidance is an abstract from 'The World of Nichiren Daishonin Writings' with universal value and application

The Daishonin’s writings reveal at least two great vows he made over the course of his life. The first was when, at age twelve, he pledged to become the wisest person in Japan. The second was when he was thirty-two, just before he established his teaching. The Daishonin describes this latter vow in “The Opening of the Eyes,” when he speaks of his decision to refute slander of the Lotus Sutra, no matter how great the persecution he may face, and to spread the correct teaching for the sake of the happiness of all people (cf. The Writings of Nichiren Daishonin, pp. 239–40). The Daishonin carried out this vow throughout his life.

This guidance is an abstract from 'The World of Nichiren Daishonin Writings' with universal value and application

In any field of endeavor, making a vow is the foundation for achieving something great. If for whatever reason a person gives up halfway or backslides, his or her commitment wasn’t based on a vow. Halfhearted desire doesn’t amount to a vow. The Daishonin states: “All other troubles are no more to me than dust before the wind.” True peace and security exist in a strong self. It is when we forge such a self by making a great vow that the path to genuine peace and security in this life opens up before us. On the other hand, the Daishonin strictly admonishes: “Whether tempted by good or threatened by evil, if one casts aside the Lotus Sutra, one destines oneself for hell.” The weak self that is defeated by devilish functions and internal obstacles, and gives up before achieving the goal is a manifestation of the world of Hell. Life is about winning. It follows, then, that so is Buddhism. To win is to realize justice and true happiness.

This guidance is an abstract from 'The World of Nichiren Daishonin Writings' with universal value and application

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